SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #182 http://www.sarockdigest.com 2nd December 2002 Established 27th January 1999 ----------*********----------- -------------- IN THIS ISSUE -------------- Koos Kombuis writes an exclusive article for the Digest on SA Musicians in debt... Sugar interviews Alexander Gregori of MotherMix Records... Kurt goes 'Beyond The Blue' with Big Sky... Daniel reviews 'Grind' compilation CD... John discovers the 'Gypsy Soul' of Roger Lucey... 'Christmas in Cape Town' CD goes gold... Daniel reports on the Cape Punk Invasion... and there are plenty of gigs that we recommend... ------------------------------------- SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK DIGEST ONLINE ------------------------------------- For a navigable and clickable HTML version of the SA Rock Digest with images, please visit http://www.cd.co.za where the online version can be found. Updated every Tuesday. ---------------------------------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA ---------------------------------------- From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan' ... visit the South African Rock Encyclopedia at http://www.rock.co.za ----------- SAMP3.com ----------- New releases on http://www.samp3.com this week 'Alone With You' - New World Inside 'Be Myself' - Jesse Jordan 'Disappearing' - Mann Friday 'Kwaito' - KGB (explicit lyrics!) 'Losing Control' - Venessa Nolan 'RA' (edit) - Ankha 'Santa Sampler' - Various 'So Jy Skim' (demo) - Kop 'Water' - Venessa Nolan ----------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST ON AIR ----------------------- Every Wednesday Morning @10.25am, Stephen Segerman, Digest co-editor, talks to Bruce Millar on SAFM (104-107kHz) about SA music news, new releases, and charts from each week's Digest. ----------- ONE WORLD ----------- Selling South African Music to the World http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 ----------- CONTENTS ----------- 1.NEWS: Koos Kombuis, KGB, Photographic Exhibition, Cape Punk Invasion 2.CHARTS: Top 30 mp3s & albums 3.NEW RELEASES: mp3s & CDs: Sterling and Tellinger, Christmas in Cape Town 4.USA FOR AFRICA: Big Sky - Beyond The Blue 5.LONDON LEKKER: Roger Lucey - Gypsy Soul 6.SA PUNK: Grind 7.HISTORY & TRIVIA: Shiloh's corner, Springbok radio charts, birthdays, recommended compilations 8.VINYL JUNKIES: Mabu Vinyl, Books & Music 9.FORUM: Questions and answers 10.CONCERTS: Recommended gigs of the week 11.INFO: Subscriptions & contributions _____________________________________________ 1.NEWS -------- 'THE STRANGLED CRIES OF MUSICIANS IN DEBT' A short essay on the present SA music industry by Koos Kombuis Below is an extract from an essay written exclusively for the SA Rock Digest by Koos Kombuis. The full piece can be found at http://www.cd.co.za/features/koos_strangled_cries.html "After the tragic death of Johannes Kerkorrel, there were rumours afoot that he had killed himself because of financial trouble. Though I knew him well, I honestly don't know if this was true. I only know what he told me a few days before: that he couldn't wait for his contractual obligations to his record company to end. Exactly what his complaints against his record company were, I never heard. He did not live to tell anyone, and, unless the secret is buried somewhere in his computer hard-drive or if it emerges in correspondence, we might never hear the full story. I do know, however, that many musicians in South Africa have financial troubles. This is due partly to their own ignorance or incompetence - musicians are notoriously laid-back when it comes to such matters - and partly to the lack of respect given to musicians in our country. In spite of the fact that we are in the midst of an explosion of local music unheard of since the days of Sophiatown, we have, until now, not developed a culture in which musicians are paid properly, informed properly, or treated like the professionals they are. Under the new laws, domestic workers are better protected than artists. In the days of Sophiatown, the enemy was Apartheid. The enemy, today, is poverty, mismanagement, and large-scale ineptitude. In a sense the problems facing musicians are exactly the opposite of the problems facing the Springbok rugby team! I could not help laughing when, as I happened to watch a BBC channel the other day, the British commentator mentioned a disciplinary hearing being conducted around a dangerous tackle by Werner Greeff. The surname "Greeff", pronounced in British English, sounds exactly like "grief". Yes, indeed, many are the woes and griefs of the current rugby Springboks. But about one thing they cannot complain: they are getting enough money, whether they are delivering the goods on the field or not. Musicians in South Africa are delivering the goods. But I do not know of a single musician who gets paid R75 000 per gig. That is what the rugby Springboks get. Maybe I am in the wrong job after all!" (KK) Read The full essay at: http://www.cd.co.za/features/koos_strangled_cries.html Koos is an inductee of the SA Rock Hall Of Fame http://www.rock.co.za/halloffame Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/kooskombuis Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_e_k.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=kombuis ---------------------- KONTROVERSIAL 'KWAITO' FROM KGB KGB is the new Cape hip hop duo featuring Neesie Nees Fataar and her hubby Nam. They wrote, recorded and released their 15-track debut album, called 'The First Born', on the Mothermix Records label and began selling it in the Western Cape through the local taxi drivers at the ("R2 change from R50"!) price of R48 {how do they do that? - financial Ed.*}. Naturally that seemed too good an offer to refuse, especially as the album is really good and already very popular due to its first single, 'Get Money', already being a big radio hit. Now 'The First Born' is about to get even more national attention, thanks to the fiery track, 'Kwaito'. 'Kwaito' is bound to cause plenty of controversy due to its hard-edged attack on kwaito music and artists, albeit it being done in a typical kwaito style. KGB's Neesie Nees explained: "Years ago we got pulled off the stage because of our lyrics and today we get hate mail, which accuses us of being racist. Fact is, we're fed up with record companies and producers taking us, other artists and the people out there for a fool by dishing out this s&!t. That's what the song 'Kwaito' is about. So sue us". The controversial track will also appear on SL Magazine's compilation CD in the December 2002 issue. Alexander Gregori, MD of KGB's label, Mothermix Records, announced that they will make the album available nation wide soon, together with a national CD launch tour. Hear 'Kwaito' by KGB at http://www.samp3.com, but be warned that the lyrics are explicit. Buy this CD at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=cdmm001 * Stephen Segerman, Digest co-editor, caught up with Alexander Gregori, the MD of Mothermix Records. Read a full, frank and food-for-thought interview at: http://www.cd.co.za/interviews/mothermix.html ------------------ PAPPA EK WIL 'N POPSTER WORD! A Photographic Exhibition of South African Music - 1997 to 2002 Wednesday 4 December - Independent Armchair Theatre The past six or so years have been interesting ones in the evolution of the SA live music scene. Bands and artists have come and gone, blossomed or gone bust and along the way left their mark on Top 40 listings, passionate fans and bathroom doors which happen to have been in the way. This exhibition offers a glimpse of that - portraying the musicians in their natural habitat: on stage. There's sweat and silhouettes, sex appeal and drama, grace and poise. And spitting and beer. Featured artists include everyone from Lithium to Jimmy Dludlu, Ready D to Boo! and Sugardrive to Waddy Jones. Photographs were taken over the past six years at gigs and festivals all over the country - from the dusty nights of Oppikoppi to the cold nights of Grahamstown. The official launch is at the Independent Armchair Theatre on Wednesday 4 December at 8PM and admission is free. Featuring photographs by James Oatway, Samantha Reinders, Gilad Hockman and Toast Coetzer, and introducing Leanne Logan. There will be some live music from The Buckfever Underground, The Dolly Rockers and Ivanhoe. Photographs will be for sale and we are hoping to take the exhibition on tour to other venues in the country. For more information on this exhibition, please call Sam Reinders on 072 3768 768 or email Gilad Hockman on mailto:gil@bastardmedia.co.za ---------------------- CAPE PUNK INVASION School's (almost) out for summer, and there's a rash of punk gigs and tours happening all over the Cape during December. There are tours by FuziGish, just back from a European tour, accompanied by New World Inside; Leek And The Bouncing Uptones, Serving Suggestion on their 'Bare Neccesities Summer Tour'; and emo-punkers Pet Flyz promoting their upcoming debut 'Motive For Breathing' album. You can also catch a host of other big punk bands on these bills like Neshama, Five Star Society, Sedwick The Salesman, The Finkelsteins, Not Guilty, Dayspring, Impropriety, Aftertaste, Emo Kid Josh, Pulled From Six Feet, and Hog Hoggidy Hog. See Daniel Neville's 'SA Punk' section below for all those dates and details. * * SOME ROCK TOURS TOO If your taste runs to the more "conventional" rock, then look out for December tours by Sons Of Trout, Sunways (promoting their new 'Three' album), Slugs Of War, and Semisane, who are back with their new, second album, 'Room 2 Breathe'. See 'Concerts' below. {There are also gigs by bands whose names don't start with an "S"! - ed} __________________________________________ 2.CHARTS ----------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.samp3.com This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Album/Label) 1. [1] (1) The Maker - The Awakening ('Roadside Heretics'/ Intervention Arts) 2. [4] (2) Social Ills - Godessa ('Cape Of Good Dope'/African Dope) 3. [7] (3) Jeff - Sons Of Trout ('Odd Times'/SAFm) 4. [3] (4) Jou Oë - Kobus ('Kobus!/ENT) 5. [20] (5) JK Voëlvry (sampler) - Gereformeerde Blues Band ('Voelvry Die Toer'/Sheer) 6. [2] (2) The Shape That I'm In - The Usual ('Born In A Storm'/BMG) 7. [5] (1) Seether Sampler - Seether ('Disclaimer'/Musketeer/BMG) 8. [6] (6) Alles Sal OK Wees - Spinnekop ('Groen Kitaar'/Afrimusik) 9. [12] (9) Go F*ck Yourself (demo) - Janie Jones (SAMP3.com/Indie) 10. [15] (10) Holy Water Sampler - Wendy Oldfield ('Holy Water'/SAFM) 11. [8] (5) Need - Phringe ('Mellow Drama'/Indie) 12. [9] (1) Zoid Sampler - Karen Zoid ('Poles Apart'/EMI) 13. [10] (2) Africa's Not For Sissies - Syd Kitchen ('Africa's Not For Sissies'/Indie) 14. [22] (14) Voëlvry Toer Sampler - Vari-ous ('Voëlvry Die Toer'/Sheer) 15. [11] (1) (I Think I Can) Relate (acoustic) - Tait (Fresh/Street Level) 16. [23] (16) Braai Pack (sampler) - Not My Dog ('Braai Vibes'/Sheer) 17. [13] (1) Believe - Mauri Moncada (SAMP3.com/Indie) 18. [14] (14) Pornography - Pug ('Cape Of Good Dope'/African Dope) 19. [16] (5) Blue Water - Julian Laxton ('The Julian Laxton Collection'/Gallo) 20. [-] (20) Red Rock City - Mac Mckenzie/Goema Captains ('A Moment In Cape Town'/Wonder) 21. [25] (10) Jannie Cocaine - Akkedis ('Voortvlugtend'/Rhythm) 22. [17] (13) Unravished Brides - Lesley Rae Dowling ('Eve'/Afrimusik) 23. [21] (5) Breakfast In Bed - Ronnie Zonked (hidden track -'African Dope Vol 1'/African Dope) 24. [18] (3) Cutting Jade Sampler - Cutting Jade ('Between Two Lives'/DGR) 25. [19] (10) When I Get The Blues - Delta Blue ('Turn'/Afrimusik) 26. [-] (26) Androgyne (edit) - Ankha ('The Other side'/Inhouse Records) 27. [24] (24) Scream - Jesse Jordan ('Lately When She Cries'/Universal) 28. [-] (28) Don't Push - Mikanic with Ernie Deane ('Swimming With The Women'/Rhythm) 29. [-] (29) The Rock And Roll Christmas Blues - Special Edition (Street Level) 30. [29] (2) Hoenderman - Kobus! ('Kobus!/ENT) ----------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) Cape Of Good Dope - Various (African Dope) 2. [2] (2) Holy Water - Wendy Oldfield (SAFM) 3. [4] (3) Roadside Heretics - The Awakening (Intervention Arts) 4. [11] (4) dream hope fear - New World Inside (Revolution) 5. [3] (1) God Is African - Various OST (Sony) 6. [10] (6) Mellow Drama - Phringe (Indie) 7. [5] (1) Disclaimer - Seether (Musketeer/BMG) 8. [9] (8) Braai Vibes - Not My Dog (Sheer) 9. [21] (9) A Moment In Cape Town - Various Live (Wonder Label) 10. [7] (1) Groen Kitaar - Gian Groen & Spinnekop (Afrimusik) 11. [6] (1) Between Two Lives - Cutting Jade (DGR) 12. [25] (12) Swimming With The Women - Mikanic (Rhythm) 13. [13] (1) Kobus! - Kobus! (ENT) 14. [8] (8) The Other Side - Ankha (Inhouse Records) 15. [12] (5) The Orchard - Mann Friday (Indie) 16. [16] (16) Another Time Another Place - Ken E Henson (3rd Ear) 17. [19] (14) Take The Good - Duncan Faure (EMI) 18. [17] (7) Die Borrelbad Insident - Diff-Olie (Boereplaas) 19. [14] (1) Beyond The Blue - Steve Louw and Big Sky (Sony) 20. [15] (1) Ordinary Day - The Fortune Cookies (Muskateer) 21. [29] (21) On Track 2002 - Various Artists (On Track) 22. [20] (1) Freefall - Ian Henderson (N3) 23. [18] (1) Maanhare - Valiant Swart (Rhythm) 24. [23] (1) Odd Times - Sons Of Trout (SAFm) 25. [-] (25) Lank Sweat - Sweatband (RetroFresh) 26. [26] (1) Equilibrium - Koos Kombuis (Rhythm) 27. [22] (9) (I Think I Can) Relate EP - Tait (Fresh) 28. [-] (28) The First Born - KGB (Mothermix) 29. [24] (2) Gypsy Soul - Roger Lucey (Indie) 30. [27] (6) Go Funk Yourself - Swamp Funk Quartet (Indie) Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus Listen http://www.samp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321 -------------------- TOP SELLING CDs AT ONE WORLD 1. Johnny Clegg - 'New World Survivor' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDVM45 2. Ipi 'Ntombi featuring Margaret Singana - 'The Warrior' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDRED676 3. Abdullah Ibrahim - 'African Magic' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDMSI003 4. Rodriguez - 'Cold Fact' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDADTA7000 5. Vusi Mahlasela & Proud People's Band - 'Jungle Of Questions' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=CDCLL7049 _____________________________________________ 3. NEW, RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES ----------------------------------------- ------ MP3s ------ 'Be Myself' - Jesse Jordan Imagine Jon Bon Jovi fronting Limp Bizkit. Well, there's no need to imagine, just go listen to the first taster off the soon-to-be-released Jesse Jordan CD 'Flipside' at http://www.samp3.com. 'Losing Control' - Venessa Nolan A slow haunting track from Venessa's chart-topping 'Burn' CD from last year. This track which features the rhythm section from the Usual and Swamp Funk Quartet - Yo Yo Buys and Paul Tizzard - would have fitted perfectly on the 'City Of Angels' soundtrack. http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/venessa_burn.html http://www.samp3.com/rhythm.html 'RA' (edit) - Ankha 'RA' is a perfect example of Ankha's unique trance/ dance/ new age/ rock/ instrumental sound (pick one or all of the above!). Mike Oldfield fans will love this. http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/ankha.html http://www.samp3.com/artists.html 'Kwaito' - KGB Don't be mistaken, the song is called 'Kwaito', and it does sound like a kwaito track. But that's where the similarity ends. KGB are a married hip hop duo from the Cape who feel it's time they let us all know how they feel about kwaito, in no uncertain terms. Off their debut album, 'The First Born'. (see 'News' above). Parental guidance, and a pinch of salt, suggested. http://www.samp3.com 'So Jy Skim' (demo) - Kop Kop is actually Marcell Britz from Port Elizabeth who wrote and sang this lo-fi demo, with Kevin Mattheus on drums and André Strydom on guitar and desk. http://www.samp3.com 'Alone With You' - New World Inside You don't have to hang out at skateparks to enjoy this music, but it would probably help. The next time you play Tony Hawk's ProSkater 3 on your Playstation, turn down the volume and listen to this instead. Taken from the recently released 'dream hope fear' CD by kind permission of New World Inside. http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/new_world_inside_index.html http://www.samp3.com 'Disappearing' - Mann Friday Pearl Jam name-checking and influenced rock song from Mann Friday. Taken off the excellent 'The Orchard' CD. http://www.samp3.com 'Santa Sampler' - Various The Santa Sessions is a compilation of Christmas tracks re-vamped and performed by seventeen of South Africa's leading bands including (on this sampler) Toxic Shame, Zen Arcade, Jo Day, Martin & Danny (from Wonderboom), Q Zoo and Kelvin Declined. More http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/santa.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/sovereign.html 'Water' - Venessa Nolan Venessa has kindly given us permission to make this pre-release of a track from her new album available as an exclusive download. Hear it here first. http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/venessa_burn.html http://www.samp3.com ----- CDs ----- THE RETURN OF STIRLING AND TELLINGER In 1983, Stirling & Tellinger released their debut single, 'Call Me', and became one of South Africa's favourite duos. The song became an instant radio hit and the audiences flocked to see this fresh new South African act. Their tight harmonies and simple approach to performance made them a favourite with live audiences. The video of 'Call Me' set new trends and standards in SA music video circles and was voted the 2nd Most Popular Music video at Midem in Cannes in 1984. Stirling & Tellinger became a permanent feature on the live music circuit and in 1984 they released their second single, 'What's A Nice Girl Like You, Doing In A Place Like This', which also did very well and established S&T as a quality act to take seriously. After three years of live appearances, and a national tour, they left for the USA to record an album. This caused an unexpected break in the momentum and the album was only released about two years later as part of a TV series called 'The Star Shooters'. Now, after 20 years and very active individual careers, 'The Best of Stirling & Tellinger' has been released on CD to bring back some good memories to those who frequented the live music venues of SA in the early 80's. ------------------ SA CHRISTMAS ALBUM GOES GOLD With perfect timing, the 2000 debut volume of 'Christmas In Cape Town' qualified for gold status just as 'Christmas In Cape Town 2' was being released this week! 'Christmas In Cape Town 2' has already sold nearly 4000 units at the opening concert of the NAC Children's Choir's first live performance of the album at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town. The new album features 22 tracks, ranging from classic Christmas standards such as 'Mary's Boy Child', 'When A Child Is Born' and 'White Christmas' through to brand-new songs - and a hip-hop version of 'Christmas In Cape Town'. The Choir will be performing at a host of shopping malls throughout greater Cape Town, and will be supported by posters, flyers at main intersections, and a concert on top of Table Mountain! The Good Hope Centre concert - played to a packed-out audience of 6,500 and backed by the augmented Cape Town Philharmonic and NAC Orchestra - was filmed and recorded, and has been offered to TV2 as a festive 'special'. And finally, the NAC Children's Choir have dubbed this album "from Children 2 Children", and the proceeds from the sale of the album are going to EMPILWENI, a 'Place Of Healing' for orphans and AIDS babies. A worthy Christmas gesture! --------------- MORE REVIEWS --------------- More reviews can be found at: Open Record http://www.openrecord.co.za Amuzine http://www.cd.co.za/reviews.htm ______________________________________ 4.USA FOR AFRICA ------------------ Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music 'BEYOND THE BLUE' - STEVE LOUW AND BIG SKY Listening to Steve Louw and Big Sky's 'Beyond the Blue', I thought, "I like this the best of any of Steve's albums." To be sure, I gave his other discs a spin, enjoyed them, yet enjoy this fine and consistent work greatly. Maybe because it's new. 'Beyond the Blue' moves my feelings and urges my body to go with the rhythmic flow, and it has a high density of thoroughly enjoyable rock songs, rivaling 'Best of the Decade'. But I shouldn't compare Steve Louw's creative offspring with each other, only enjoy the clear guitars, right-on drums, positive melodies, classy lyrics smoothly delivered, and his special friends. The opener 'Flying' is a seemingly laid-back number that nonetheless pulses along at an energetic, uplifting, heartbeat pace. 'Chainsaw Blues' revs up, a running rocker. 'The Road Ahead' has powerful lyrics that hit me in the chest. The line about rock and roll, "She's still young, we're getting old" and "Where will we go when we walk into the night?" move me every time. 'Vicky and Dan', a ballad in the sense of telling a story, is about a working couple who become a movie star and a rock drummer but lose their love, which was their true success story. 'You are in Heaven', a long song that does not seem long, is tender and beautiful, with exquisite gentle guitar effects. 'MP3' is a catchy pop rock single, an mp3 of which you can download over at SAMP3.com, along with 'Waiting for the Dawn' and a 'Beyond the Blue' Sampler. 'Black Sun' is uneasy, about a life is not quite right, one of those songs about feeling bad that make you feel good. These and the other songs make me regard this album highly, thanks to Steve and friends: Anton Fig, Keith Lentin, Blondie Chaplin, Pat Thrall, Adam Holzman, and clear and confident production thanks to Kevin Shirley. Melodic rock with lots, lots, of electric guitar has an extra quality in the playing, lyrics, melodies, and production, that make it a new favorite work by Steve Louw and Big Sky, until the next new one. Read http://www.stevelouw.com (a South African Rock Encyclopedia website http://www.rock.co.za) Listen http://www.samp3.com Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=big sky Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas mailto:kurt@sarockdigest.com _________________________________ 5.LONDON LEKKER ----------------- London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music GYPSY SOUL - ROGER LUCEY Brendan Jury has been fiddling with Roger Lucey. This may sound sordid, but I think Brendan will insist that it's a viola and not a fiddle. Fiddle or viola, it is this swirling sound of Brendan that heralds the long overdue, and quite welcomed return of Roger Lucey. 'Gypsy Soul' could possibly be described as Roger's post Primal Scream album. In the sleeve notes he talks of building a house in the mountains and 'the pain of hard labour eased the pain of my history and bit by bit the healing took place.' There is certainly less anger here than on his debut 'The Road is Much Longer'. Songs like the title track, 'I'm Alright Now' and 'The Soft Glow of Dreams' just by their titles conjure up images of a post cathartic experience, and the music compliments these titles with bamboo and Bolivian flutes which have, for me, always created images of open spaces of great beauty. For this album Lucey called on the musical talents from various quarters. I've already mentioned Brendan Jury on Viola, but to this add Nico Carstens (yes he of the old Boere Orkes Kompetisies) on accordion, Ray Phiri plays guitar on 'Come the Day' and Dan Chiorboli on percussion. Added to this eclectic collection is Eufronio "Kech" Sanchez who plays the Bolivian Flutes and charango. I won't even pretend to know what a charango is or what it sounds like, but whatever it is it must sound pretty cool as there are no uncool sounds here. However it's not all gentleness and peace. There are some biting tunes to remind the listener that although the turmoil of the past has subsided, not everyone is sharing in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow nation. 'The Night Harry J Went To War' is a razor sharp, vehemently delivered song about gangs and their effects on communities. The tension of the songs is echoed in the edgy viola playing. 'Come the Day' is a mixture of relaxed blues and reggae beat but to this song a dark side there is. Lucey's distinctive vocals are ominous on the verses, making one edgy, however, he relaxes for the chorus creating an unsettling juxtaposition. Roger's road has possibly been longer than he thought it would be after the reaction to his first politically charged album. However he has now navigated those treacherous mountain roads and has now hit those long straight roads through the Karoo. While the anger has subsided, Lucey's ability to write meaningful lyrics and great rock tunes has in no way diminished. Another fine offering from one of SA's great rock artists. Read http://www.new.co.za/~currin/roger_lucey.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_l_s.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=roger lucey ______________________________________ 6.SA PUNK ----------- Daniel Neville keeps us up-to-date on what's happening on the SA Punk scene. ------ NEWS ------ Punk Parties this December The December holidays are almost here and there is lots of stuff happening everywhere. Fuzigish are returning from their tour of Europe and will tour SA during December, so look out for those shows because they are going to be massive. Pet Flyz and Leek and the Bouncing Uptones are visiting Cape Town and there are huge shows happening all over the country. So get ready for one heck of a big holiday and tons of good ol' SA punk. The tour dates for some of the touring bands this December are after the gig guide. See you at the Shows... Daniel mailto:daniel@sarockdigest.com ------------ CD REVIEW ------------ 'GRIND' - VARIOUS (blunt magazine CD compilation) This is a very interesting CD and my first impression, before I stuck it in the player, was something like: "Cool, check this old stuff stuck in-between here?" This is a different idea for a compilation, packed with 17 kicking punk and hardcore tracks, both old and new, local and foreign, and I was interested to hear how it would all work together. By about the time Hog Hoggidy Hog's 'Baby One More Time' kicked in, I knew it was all good. Classic tracks like the Ramones' 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker', and of course, the Beastie Boys' 'Girls', are scattered in between all the local big boys like Martin Rocka, Tweak and, of course, the Psycho Reptiles! Talk about a blast from the past, They're the grandfathers of the collection, one of the more notable SA punk bands of the 80's. The Phoebes, SA's all-girl punk band, contribute a great version of Sweatband's 'This Boy', and Tweak's song 'Britney Spears' is an energetic addition to this set. Add Jimmy 12"'s rocking track 'Trap Door Lucy' and Millencolin's excellent 'No Cigar' and they all make for a top compilation. The thing I like the most about this selection is it's hard to tell the difference between the local guys and the foreign additions, which says a lot about the SA punk scene. This is a worthy addition to any punk collection. Oi! (DN) 6/10 ----------------------------- RECOMMENDED SA PUNK GIGS ----------------------------- Cape Town - Tues 3 Dec - Pinelands High School - (R15, 6:30) 'ROCK VS PUNK' Come out and support your punk people! The punk bands really need your support! Featuring: Pet Flyz, Sedwick the Salesman, Six Day War, Serving Suggestion, Dayspring. Famous Merchandise from SwitchStance (as well as a new video preview) and Son Surf will also be available! Cape Town - Thurs 5 Dec - Stellenberg High - Durbanville (R15, 7:00) THE ROCK SHOW - 7 Bands for only R15! Pet Flyz, Neshamah, Not Guilty, Impropriety, Emo Kid Josh, Pulled From Six Feet, Five Star Society. Cape Town - Fri 6 Dec - NG Church Table View Hall - (R15, 7:00) URBAN WRECKYARD 3 Pet Flyz, Neshamah, Aftertaste, Not Guilty, New World Inside, Impropriety. Cape Town Fri 6 Dec - Wynberg Boy's High School - (R15, 7:30) WBHS BANDSLAM! There is an evening at Wynberg Boys' High School on 6th December. There are some kak jazz bands playing but there will be some good stuff as well. Twisted Angel, DiNGUS, Coin, Mild Concussion, Other bands too. Cape Town - Fri 6 Dec - Warldorf School - (R20, 8:00) LEEK AND THE BOUNCING UPTONES TOUR Hog Hoggidy Hog, Hoax, Leek and the Bouncing Uptones, Threefifty Cape Town Sat 7 Dec - Purple Turtle - (R20, 9:00) Leek, Hogs, Sweet Victory Port Elizabeth Sat 7 Dec - Hoby Beach Yacht Club - (R15, 7:30) The Finkelstiens, Serving Suggestion Cape Town Sat 7 Dec - See Venue Address - (R20, 8:00) Pet Flyz Cape tour 2002 Pet Flyz, Go Team, Break Time Venue address: c/o Canterbury and Wesley Streets, in town. Limited to about75 people! First come, first served! Drinks & merch will be on sale. -------------------------- RECOMMENDED SA PUNK TOURS -------------------------- Fuzigish and New World Inside - SA Tour Dates: FuziGish are back from their European tour and will be back trekking around good old sunny SA with their buddies NWI. These shows are going to be awesome, I mean Fuzi playing their unmistakable brand of Punk/ Ska and telling stories of their travels, plus NWI! Fri 13th Dec - The Flammable Festival Sat 14th Dec - Burn, Durban Tues 17th Dec - BoneYard, Jeffrey's Bay Wed 18th Dec - Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth Thur 19th Dec - The Tin Roof, Knysna Fri 20th Dec - The Jam, Cape Town -All shows with NWI Pet Flyz Cape Tour: Pet Flyz are one of the hottest young emo punk bands in the country, and will soon be releasing their debut full-length album, 'Motive For Breathing', through Intervention Arts. The band is Mark Hinch (guitar), Paul van der Walt (guitar and vocals), Ian Stalker (bass) and Peter van der Merwe (drums). Tues 3 Dec - Pinelands High School, Pinelands, Cape Town - Bands: Pet Flyz, Serving Suggestion, Sedwick The Salesman and others. All Ages! 18:30 R15 Thurs 5 Dec - The Rock Show - Stellenberg High School, Durbanville, Cape Town - Bands: Pet Flyz, Neshamah, 5 Star Society, Pulled From 6 Feet, Emo, Kid Josh & others All Ages! 19:00 R15 Fri 6 Dec - Urban Wreck Yard Festival NG Church Tableview, Tableview, Cape Town - Bands: Pet Flyz, Aftertaste, Neshamah, New World Inside, Not Guilty & Impropriety All Ages! 19:00 R15 Serving Suggestion - The 'Bare Neccesities Summer Tour' 2002: Tues 3 Dec - Pinelands High School, Cape Town - with Pet Flyz, Dayspring, Famous, Sedwick The Salesman & Six Day War Sat 7 Dec - Hoby Beach Yacht Club, Port Elizabeth - with The Finkelsteins. 9 - 11 Dec - Project Passion, Knysna - with One80 Sat 21 Dec - Stage Magazine Music Festival, The River Club, Observatory, Cape Town - with Dorp, Kelvin Declined, Aftertaste, Scarlet Host, AK Massive, Dolly Rockers, Desert Velvet, Arcane, Ghost and more Fri 27 Dec - The Tin Roof, Knysna - with Perez and Dayspring. (to be confirmed) Leek and the Bouncing Uptones: 6 Dec- Waldorf High School - With Hog Hoggidy Hog, Hoax and Threefify 7 Dec - Purple Turtle - With Hog Hoggidy Hog and Sweet Victory 15 Dec - Mercury Lounge (formerly the Jam) - With Hog Hoggidy Hog and more All gig & tour info to Daniel at: mailto:daniel@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigs _________________________________________ 7.HISTORY & TRIVIA ------------------- ----------------- SHILOH'S CORNER ----------------- Our rock historian with an eye for the obscure, the conspiracies, and the real facts. GREEN ONIONS (FRIED OR CHILLED) part 4 of 4 Barring the original, that still kicks like a mule, the four most impounding interpretations of 'Green Onions' to grace this age are: 1. On the 'Live Adventures' of Mike Bloomfield & Al Kooper, which has Mike improvising on the decisive Al Kooper Hammond drone. Bloomfield's articulate tone frolics with absolute ease, amazing the crowds at Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. 2. Guitar maestro Roy Buchanan recorded this version in 1967 for his album 'Loading Zone'. He shares the lead solos with none other than Steve Cropper, backed by the bass of Mister Donald "Duck" Dunn. The solos resemble a wild cat mating session with Cropper coming out on top. Incidentally, the recording was done at Cropper's studio Clover House. It was produced by Return to Forever bassist Stanley Clarke. Apparently Clarke didn't know who Cropper was and they had to coax him to come out of his office and share the solos. 3. The most fearsome Hammond is embezzled on the album 'Jools and Brian' as featured by keyboard maestro, Brian Auger. This speedy version, with inflamed distortion, slashes like a Banshee with Auger not holding back as he angrily grinds and pulverises the keyboards of the organ. 4. The most authentic version, and probably the only purely played-on-guitar one, was released in 1964 by England's foremost underrated beat group, The Downliners Sect. This is also probably the first British version. I am quite certain that the riff will eventually carry over the ambient electronic curse and may well find itself exported into the cosmos in the near future. Nevertheless it's a riff with a groove and a hook that will never loose flavour or fashion and just when you think that that the blues has died, it grinds forth from the grave. Shiloh Noone, Cape Town mailto:shiloh@sarockdigest.com Blues and Variation Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM Wednesdays 10 pm -------------------------- SPRINGBOK RADIO CHARTS http://www.cd.co.za/charts This week [Last week] Title - Artist 30 YEARS AGO (1 December 1972) 1 [1] I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash 2 [5] Mouldy Old Dough - Lieutenant Pigeon 3 [3] It's Too Late Now - Lauren Copley 4 [2] A Shoulder To Cry On - Denise Freeman 5 [4] I Need Someone - Alan Garrity 25 YEARS AGO (2 December 1977) 1 [1] Barracuda - Heart 2 [2] I Need You - Joe Dolan 3 [6] Buccaneer - McCully Workshop 4 [4] I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) - Margaret Singana 5 [3] Angelo - Brotherhood of Man 20 YEARS AGO (4 December 1982) 1 [1] Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners 2 [3] Words - FR David 3 [2] Da Da Da - Trio 4 [4] Don't Fly To High - Joanna Field 5 [6] She Can't Say That Anymore - Billy Forrest 15 YEARS AGO (5 December 1987) 1 [1] La Bamba - Los Lobos 2 [2] Funky Town - Pseudo Echo 3 [3] It's A Sin - Pet Shop Boys 4 [5] Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley 5 [4] You Win Again - Bee Gees Johnny Nash had now clocked up 8 weeks at number 1 and, despite a challenge from Lieutenant Pigeon, looked immovable. Top 40 magazine lists 'I Can See Clearly' down as the biggest hits of 1972, however based on chart performance, Nash only came 8th. The best chart performer for the year was sitting at number 5. Alan Garrity spent a total 29 weeks on the chart in 1972 with 'I Need Someone' (and a further 4 weeks in 1973). Only 5 of the 29 weeks were spent outside the top 10. In 1977 Margaret Singana was joined by another local act in the top 5. One of South Africa's rock classics 'Buccaneer' came careering up the charts. In the 4th weeks since entering the top 20 it was in the top 5 and challenging Heart for the top spot. In 1982 William Broadman was enjoying his first solo top 5 hit, this time using the name Billy Forrest. He had hit the top 5 with Sharon Tandy ('Hello-A' in 1972) and with Angelika Illman ('Do You Love Me' in 1973). Just above him was another local star Joanna Field. Despite a quick start to it's chart career and massive hype in the UK, Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' was stalling. This week was it's 5th in the top 5, and as yet it had not gone higher than number 4. Los Lobos were spending their 7th week at the top. South African's at number 1 this week: Mammy Blue - Charisma (1971) 'Mammy Blue' is available on 'The Best Of SA Pop Volume 2' http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&ID=cdgmpd40486 ----------- BIRTHDAYS 3 - Ozzy Osbourne (1948) 5 - Little Richard (1935) 5 - J.J. Cale (born Jean Jacques Cale, 1938) 5 - Geoff St John (born Geoffrey Jacobs, 1951) 8 - Jim Morrison (born 1943, died 3 July 1971) ------------ RECOMMENDED COMPILATIONS http://www.new.co.za/~currin/sarock_classic_albums_comp.html AFRICAN GUITAR KINGS Dludlu, Butler, Mhlanga, Gumede, Phiri, Baloi, Cox. The list of South African guitar kings is impressive, and so is this CD which is available on the Sheer Sound label. If you're looking to get your teeth into some African guitar based jazz, this is a good starting place. It's laid back listening with these masters caressing some wonderful sounds out of their instruments. It's not just instrumental pieces, in fact most songs feature vocals, but the real star is the guitar. Established names like Tony Cox and Gito Baloi (of Tananas fame) feature alongside the newcomers Blk Sonshine, who's stunning 'Born in a Taxi' (featured here) was the SA Rock Digest's song of 2000. You won't be playing an air guitar along to this, it's far too mellow for that, but you will certainly appreciate the quality of the playing. Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&id=sspcd029 John Samson ------------- ON THE NET ------------- THE SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA Recent updates to the South African Rock Encyclopedia http://www.rock.co.za 1 December: Added info on the first McCully Workshop album released in 1970, thanks to Piet Obermeyer. http://www.new.co.za/~currin/mccully_inc.html 30 November: Added Huisegenoot article from 25 November to Karen Zoid website, thanks to Rhynie Greeff. http://www.karenzoid.co.za/huisgenoot.htm 30 November: Added article written by Koos Kombuis, "The Strangled Cries of Musicians in Debt". http://www.cd.co.za/features/koos_strangled_cries.html 23 November: Updated Steve Louw (http://www.stevelouw.com) and Piet Botha (http://www.pietbotha.com) websites. 18 November: Added more info about the Voëlvry Tour to the Radio Rats Family Tree, thanks to Hanepoort van Tonder. http://www.new.co.za/~currin/sarock_family_trees.html, 18 November: Added June Dyer webpage, thanks to Tertius Louw. http://www.new.co.za/~currin/june_dyer_index.htm 13 November: Added tribute page for Johannes Kerkorrel after hearing the sad news of his death, thanks to John Samson. http://www.cd.co.za/legends/jk/index.html _______________________________ 8.VINYL JUNKIES ----------------- This section (named after the much-missed shop from Fishhoek) is for collectors of vinyl, both South African and International. MABU VINYL 34 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Suck - 'Time To Suck' (LP) David Kamer/Taliep Peterson - 'District Six - The Musical OST (LP) Morris Goldberg - 'Urban Jazz Band' (LP) Supertrax - 'So Good To Be Home, Brothers And Sisters' (LP) Soundtrack - 'King Kong' (UK stage version) (LP) Basil "Manenberg" Coetzee - 'Sabenza' (LP) Cash paid for records in saleable condition. Jacques Vosloo (+27 21) 423 7635 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com -------------------- BOOKS & MUSIC 14 Glen St, Central, Port Elizabeth (041) 585 4630 John Truelove Cell 072 112 4096 Fax (041) 991 1115 mailto:vinyl@sarockdigest.com ______________________________________________ 9.FORUM --------- 10 TIPS FOR GOOD WEBSITES Graeme Kennedy Part 5: Consistenty - the importance of consistency. Consistent design elements mean that once the visitor has figured out the meaning of the icons and navigation tools on the site, that they don't need to relearn them. Consistency has three attributes: consistency within the website at any given time, consistency within the website over time, and consistency between the website and the rest of the websites on the Internet, especially the more popular ones. More... http://www.seercom.com/bluto/programming/websites/10tips/index.html Continued next week... Reprinted here by kind permission of Graeme Kennedy. -------------------- NAME THAT SONG I am trying to identify a song which I think was done by a South African artist - I am guessing it was around 1970/71 or thereabouts. It is sung by a man, I don't know who... all I know is that it contains the lines "when shadows fall, I start to call/Come back to me Wendy, I love you." If you know what this is, please let me know the name, artist, and year, if possible! My brother-in-law in PE would really like to know, and I couldn't help. Thanks, Rosie Seaber {The song is called 'Wendy'. It was recorded in 1968 by David Friedlander, thanks to Tertius Louw - ed} ------------------- MIRIAM MAKEBA RARITY WANTED I've been searching the web trying to find a copy of the South Bank Show documentary on Miriam Makeba from 1995. It's called 'Miriam Makeba: Mama Africa', directed by Melissa Raimes. Do you have any suggestions as to where I might be able to find it? Thank you, june czerwinski mailto:winklerfilms@sbcglobal.net ------------------------ SMOKE SIGNALS http://www.cd.co.za/smokesignals A fully integrated publicity and events service, specialising in the music and theatre world. Band and concert promotion, press releases, media interviews and 'short hand hyping'. Contact: Brian Weinronk ph: (021) 4619152 mailto:brianwein@kingsley.co.za --------------------- SOUND SOLUTIONS http://www.cd.co.za/soundsolutions A Cape Town-based music resource that offers two main areas of expertise and assistance: 1) Music Searches - Assists in recommending and finding relevant music soundtracks for television, cinema and radio commercials and productions. 2) Music Licensing - Assists in obtaining the publishing and recording rights for music to be used as soundtracks for commercials and other productions. For more info, please contact: Stephen Segerman or Graham Katz 021 461-9541 mailto:sugar@cd.co.za ______________________________________________ 10.CONCERTS - LIVE REVIEWS AND GIG INFO --------------------------------------- ----------------- RECOMMENDED GIGS ----------------- A FEW MOMENTS IN CAPE TOWN (AKA "The Afribeat Triathalon"!) Some of the artists featured on the just-released 'A Moment In Cape Town' CD will be making a series of appearances around Cape Town on Sunday 8 December. 1. At 5PM the Corner Cafe presents 'A Moment In Cape Town'. The corner cafe is situated opposite Joburg Bar in Long Street. Entrance to the public on this fabulous street corner is free. Mac Mackenzie, Hilton Schilder, Alex Van Heerden, Mikanic will be present for a performance of unknown proportions and will be available for signing. 2. At 6PM it is the sunset session at the Cape Grace Hotel's Bascule Bar, and a full-length performance by Mac Mackenzie, Hilton Schilder, Alex Van Heerden. 3. At 8.20PM Mikanic will be performing at Joburg bar with Ernie Deane. Entrance for this gig will be R20. The 'A Moment In Cape Town' CD is selling at the Corner Cafe and is also available through www.wondergigs.com & the mobile afribeat service - 021 4479030. ------------------- BAFO BAFO Dec 2 - AVA Gallery, Church Street Dec 4 - Mercury Lounge (formerly 206) Dec 5 - Vegitable, Kalk Bay Dec 6 - Zem Kafe * Dec 7 - Zem Kafe * Dec 8 - Railway House, Muizenberg Station * Dec 9 - Independent Armchair Theatre * * With Stark Raving Sane as support -------------------- BARLEYCORN MUSIC CLUB Mondays at 8pm, upstairs at the River Club, Observatory, Cape Town SPOON; as he prefers to be known, with an anticipated entertaining set STEF MALHERBE; excellent player who we haven't heard at the Club in a long while ... but will he wield double bass, or guitar, or both? STEVE MURDOCH; stalwart performer with the uncanny knack of chosing audience pleasing numbers, and covering them better than most NIKKI BATES; our diminutive C&W playing lass, always a pleasure to hear WAYNE PAULI & CRAIG BLACK; highly accomplished players both, and Wayne an articulate and highly original songwriter, this is going to be worth catching And then, hopefully, if Robin has his wish, a JAM at the end involving all or as many as possible of the above plus compulsory audience participation! Further details: Robin 683 2940 or 072 383 0099 ------------------- BASCULE SUNSET SESSIONS Cape Grace, V&A Waterfront Bascule Sunset Session Programme: Dec 8 - Mac McKenzie & the Suits Dec 15 - Mark Fransman and the Straight and Narrow Band 22nd December 2002 Sunset Surprise Bascule Sunday sunset sessions begin at 6pm. For more information contact Gabrielle Palmer on (021) 410 7100 or Karen Burningham on (021) 448 7407. --------------------- BEAN BAG BOHEMIA Friday 6 December sees Bean Bag Bohemia bring a hit new show to town. Top Durban musicians, Ian Henderson, Dave Birch, Kerry de Witt and Catherine Mace will be collaborating in a once-off unplugged show of original music? Singing each others' songs, playing new material and showcasing hits off Squeal's string of albums, Ian's highly regarded new record "Freefall" and Kerry & Catherine's Butternut, Ginapeep and solo projects. The quartet will be backed up by a collection of top session players including Wesley Gibbens, Angus Kerr and Mdu Mbele. Expect something a little out of the ordinary? An indoor bohemian picnic in the bizarre surrounds of the St Mary's church adjoining the club. The emphasis is on taking the volume down a gear, and the humour up. Expect acoustic guitars, violins and pianos, sweet harmonies and more than a few stage antics. The four artists and their cohorts have collaborated extensively behind the scenes on each others' albums. This will be the first chance to see them sharing a stage in public! Doors open at 8pm, and BBB will be offering a full bar and "Lounge Lizzard" indoor mezze picnics at R30 per head. Tickets for the show are R30. Further information from 082-7842929. --------------------- BLUE MOON Nelspruit 'Jokerman' A Tribute to Bob Dylan performed by the six-piece band Avalon Fri, 6 December - 20:00 - R40 Gates open at 19:00 - Food for Sale Tickets available from The Plumstore Enquiries: 013-744 9033 -------------------- BLUES ROOM Village Walk Sandton Tue 3 - Absolute Zero contemporary jazz quintet (R5O) Wed 4 - The Comedy Night - John Vlismas and the Uptown Comedy Underground Thur 5 - The Jazz Experience presents DON LAKA international Jazz piano great (R50 unreserved R150 reserved table seating with dinner) Fri 6 - Doctor Victor and the Rasta Rebels - the number one party dance band (R50) Sat 7 - Absolute Zero - SOLD OUT !! --------------------- PIET BOTHA Tues 3rd Dec Da Vinci's Brackenfell Cape Town 21h00 Wed 4th Dec Harbour Music Club Kalk Bay 20h30 Thu 5th Dec Whammy Bar Tableview 21h00 Fri 6th Dec The Mercury (De Villiers Street-Cape Town) 22h00 Sat 7th Dec The Grange Theatre Durbanville 20h00 Sun 8th Dec Dorpstraat Teater Stellenbosch 21h00 Mon 9th Dec Dorpstraat Teater Stellenbosch 21h00 Tue 10th Dec Albertinia Hotel Albertinia Baai 20h00 Fri 13th Dec Sirocco's Gordonsbay 21h30 Sat 14th of Dec Juffrou's Hoogte Vredenburg 20h30 Sun 15th of Dec Miems se Restaurant Pringle Baai 20h30 Read http://www.pietbotha.com (a South African Rock Encyclopedia website http://www.rock.co.za) Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=piet -------------------- BURN Dec 6 - Perez Dec 7- Soil 7t7 & The AK Massive Dec 13- Boo!, Regatta 69 & Dorp Dec 14 - PUNK NIGHT: Blunt Party Feat: Fuzigish, New World Inside & Stanley Anvil Dec 15 - Burn open for public Holiday Dec 20 - Porcelain Truck Drivers Dec 21- Even Flow ------------------- HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB Wednesday 4 December is as follows: Piet Botha & Jackhammer, previously of Wildebeest fame, considered to be the ZZ Top of Afrikaans alternatief is starting his Cape tour at the Harbour Music club. Gizo Vibe Afrijazz group with Bass, Drums, 2 Keyboards, and 5 Vocalists. An up and comming group from Guguletu who are sure to produce some intresting sounds as a curtain raiser for Piet. This will take place at Ek & Jy the seafood cafe part of the Harbour House restaurant complex in Kalk Bay Harbour, Kalk bay. Entrance R20 . Starting time 20:30 .Enquiries Dave 0217886330 or 0828534088. There is a bar with reasonable drink prices and you can either eat at the Harbour House or Polana before hand, bookings 021 7884133 or Ek & Jy will be making self service food. Dave Plater 0217886330 0828534088 -------------------- INDEPENDENT ARMCHAIR THEATRE Tuesday 3 Dec - The Most Amazing Show Wednesday 4 Dec - Papa Ek Will 'n Popster Word (see 'News' above) Thursday 5 Freshly Ground Freshly Ground are a fresh, original and very exciting seven-piece collective (an ensemble of Africans - some from Zimbabwe, some from Cape Town, some from elsewhere on the continent) that is gently exploding onto the Cape Town music scene with a blend of traditional roots music, modern urban songs and a definite dub factor. The 'freshly ground' sound might be labelled 'afrojazztripfunkfusion' - although even this hybrid generic does not truly represent the full musical range. Basically, you've gotta see it...then you'll know. Friday 6 Benguela Saturday 16 Obs Festival Featuring Sons of Trout Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town. 021 447 1514 ------------------- JESSE JORDAN December 4 - Rock Shed - Grabouw 13 - Gecko - Hermanus 15 - Gecko - Grabouw 16 - Boereplaas - Gansbaai 26 - Firlands - Gordon's Bay ----------------- JULIAN'S 286 Acacia Rd, Blackheath, Jhb. 011 678 2880 Thu 5 Dec at 8.30 Pm, The Cuban Doctors, R25 Fri 6 Dec from 8.30 "The Mississippi Muthers", R35 Sat 7 Dec at 8.30, "The Best of Clapton and Hendrix", R65 Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/julianlaxton Listen http://www.samp3.com/artists_l_s.html ------------------- NIELEN MIRROR Nielen Mirror (vocalist from Falling Mirror) is going to do an in-store unplugged acoustic set at the new Vibes Vinyl shop, which is now situated in the Stadium on Main centre in Claremont on Saturday 7 December at 12 noon. ----------------- MERCURY Mercury Live (ex-Jam) & Mercury Lounge (ex-District 206) - 43 de Villiers Street Tuesday 3rd: Mercury Lounge: Open mike jam session. Muso`s and aspirant muso`s all welcome. Session starts at 9pm. Drum kit and backline provided, just bring your own instrument and some money for beer. See the likes of Dave van der Linden, Albert Frost, Farrell Adams, Tim Parr, Arno Carstens and other luminaries of the Cape Town music scene. Doors open at 9pm. No couvert Wednesday 4th: Mercury Lounge: A Month of Wednesdays is suspended this month due to the demand for dates from the many local and out of town acts. Tonight we have Bafo Bafo performing at The Lounge. Thursday 5th: Mercury Lounge: Another multi-bill for the lounge tonight with Minus, pretenders to the local rock throne, making their third appearance at the venue. With a strong following in the student market, they are looking to expand their fan base with well-crafted rock and a slick stage show. Support is by a young diva about whom you will be hearing a lot more; Natalia has performed at the Mountain of Music benefit festival at the venue earlier this year and impressed with her strong vocal abilities and folk/pop/R 'n B influenced songs. Doors open at 9pm. Friday 6th: Mercury Live: A welcome return of one of the country`s most prolific and best-loved blues/folk/rock performers sees Piet Botha and Jack Hammer at 'Live' tonight. A luminary of the Afrikaans music scene in this country, Piet has developed something of a 'Grateful Dead type' following having one of the most loyal fan bases an artist could hope to cultivate. At the same time he manages to continue to expand this and after a well-deserved hiatus this will be one of the stops in another extensive national tour. Mercury Lounge: Alternative lounge, Latin, Soul, Blues, Acid-Jazz and Funk as played by DJ`s Foam, Honey-B, Moodswing, koe_rant, and guests on a rotational basis. Two 3hr sessions each night 10 til 1am with DJ koe - rant and 1am til 4am with DJ Moodswing. Saturday 7th: Mercury Live: Our now standard Homegrown Drum 'n Bass evening is again brought to you by Algorithm. After the continued success of these parties we were only too happy when Justin a.k.a. Animal Chin approached us to book every first Saturday of the month for the foreseeable future. You can pencil this one into your diaries for your monthly dose of bone crunching beats. D.J. line-up will be confirmed in next week`s mail out. (All you D'nB fans need to watch this space for the next international gig as well). Mercury Lounge: See Friday ---------------- MINUS AND NATALIA There's a big buzz about this rock double feature at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday 5 December. Minus have emerged during 2002 as one of the most popular bands on the UCT 'Varsity' circuit. They debuted at The Whammy Bar and followed that with two sell-out gigs at the Mercury Lounge. The band are Wayne Woodman (v), Oliver Dougvillo (lg), Marc Klein (d), Warrick Ball (b) and Stephan Viollier (t/s) and their music is a workable blend of alt rock and hip-hop (think Incubus, Linkin Park, and Seether). No releases till 2003, when we're expecting more along the lines of current crowd favourites 'Freak' and 'Broken'. Supporting Minus will be a much younger solo rock act currently drawing a lot of attention on the 'High School' circuit on the opposite side of Table Mountain. Natalia is a Camps Bay student who first appeared at the Mercury Lounge (then 206) on the prestigious 'Mountains Of Music' bill earlier this year. 'Ugly' and 'Bright Young Thing', her first two demo releases on SAMP3.com, have received consistent downloads at SAMP3.com and her first recording proper, also due in 2003, should include 'Girlfriend', 'What Can I Say', and '9-5 (Poppy Quest)'. 2003 is the year Cape Rock explodes, catch these recommended two acts at the Mercury Lounge on Thursday 5 December at 9PM (R10) -------------------- SEMISANE Semisane's second album, 'Room 2 Breathe', is being released in mid-December, and the band will be appearing at the following venues during December to promote the album: December Fri 6 - Gatsbies - (Boskruin) Randburg (Jhb) Sat 7 - The Barrel - Rosebank (Jhb) Tue 10 - Due East - Boksburg (Jhb) Fri 13 - Monsoon lagoon - Caesars (Gauteng) Sun 15 - Tempos - Randburg (Jhb) Wed 18 - Buccaneers - East London Thu 19 - Toby Joes - Port Elizabeth Fri 20 - Tin Roof - Knysna Sat 21 - Flashbacks - Plettenberg Bay -------------------- SLUGS OF WAR - 'GRAND SUMMER TOUR' December Sat 7 - Mystic Boer, Bloemfontein Mon 9 - Tapas el Sol, Port Elizabeth Thu 12 - Here Groove Lounge, Port Elizabeth Fri 13 - Barnacles, Port Alfred Sun 15 - Al's Diner, Knysna Wed 18 - The Boneyard, Jeffrey's Bay Thu 19 - The Jam, Cape Town Sat 21 - Purple Turtle, Cape Town Sun 22 - Dirty Dicks, Hout Bay --------------------- SONS OF TROUT DEC: 12 - Oudtshoorn - Rockart Cafe 13 - Jeffreys Bay - Boneyards 14 - Knysna - Tin Roof 16 - Knysna - Sawmill Theatre 17 - Knysna - Sawmill Theatre 18 - Knysna - Sawmill Theatre 22 - Kirstenbosch Gardens - Cape Town 31 - Mossel Bay - Santos Beach Festival Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/90s/sonsoftrout.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/safm.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=trout ---------------------- SUNWAYS 'THREE' SA NATIONAL TOUR December: Sat 7 - Rock Café, Witbank (with Jimmy 12") Fri 13 - Due East, Boksburg Wed 18 - Settlers, Gonubie Thur 19 - Buccaneers, East London Sat 21 - Brass Monkey, Port Alfred Read http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/sunways.html Listen http://www.samp3.com/fresh.html Buy http://www.oneworld.co.za/index.cfm?bec=4321&searchfor=sunways ------------------- SWAMP FUNK QUARTET To take advantage of the Yoyo-bird's annual southward migration, SFQ will be playing some gigs in Cape Town during this coming holiday season: Fri 20 Dec: The Wipeout, Muizenberg. This is a semi-invitation-only affair in the upper level and back garden of this lekker Victorian house/backpackers/bar in Muizies. We have secured the place for our chommies for the evening, complete with braais, pool tables, and all the other goede that we know you like. Fri 27 Dec: Independent Armchair Theatre, Observatory. This is the traditional lay-back-and-get-funked venue, and SFQ will be doing our best to get you out of the plush furniture and onto your feet. ----------------- ZEM KAFE 4 Buiten (off Long St), Cape Town Every Tuesday: Red Zebra Community Samba Band 8-10pm Wed Dec 4: Live Music Thu Dec 5: Thirsty Thursdays Fri Dec 6: Syd Kitchen & Madala Kunene Sat Dec 7: Syd Kitchen & Madala Kunene ___________________________________________ 11.INFO -------- ------ LINKS ------ Links to artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links --------------- SUBSCRIPTIONS --------------- To subscribe - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=NewSubscriber Address changes - please send an e-mail to: mailto:subscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=AddressChange To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: mailto:unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com?Subject=unsubscribe BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable PRESS RELEASES Please submit all press releases and gigs to Sugar at mailto:sugar@cd.co.za?subject=Gigs CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments by filling in the form at: http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact EDITORS Brian Currin Stephen Segerman mailto:sugar@sarockdigest.com?subject=SARockDigest Postal Address: Brian Currin PO Box 521 Eppindust 7475 Cape Town South Africa MAIN CONTRIBUTORS Tertius Louw Daniel Neville Shiloh Noone John Samson Kurt Shoemaker <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>